Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Before the cake, some info: many of you have been asking me about my vacation – thanks, guys!
I went to Paris, Berlin, Rome and London and it was fantastic. Although Rome was incredibly beautiful, the city I liked the most was Berlin. The people are warm, the food was delicious. I would certainly come back one day!

If you are interested in taking a look at my “adventures in Europe”, some of the photos are now on my Flickr.

This is another recipe I prepared before my trip – and this time I had a very special sous chef.

I’m not an animated film fan, but so many of my favorite foodies were talking about Ratatouille with such enthusiasm that I decided to give it a go. And that special “mission” called for special company – so I took Jessica with me.

She loved the movie and I have to admit I loved it too! Remy is so adorable and cute I kept forgetting he was a mouse… :)

After the movie, my sister came home with me and we decided to bake something. She was in charge of choosing the recipe – and of course she didn’t disappoint me. This cake is so delicious!

You can see some of the almond meal through the cake – I told Jessica to carefully mix the ingredients and she did follow the instructions! :)

Preheat the oven to 150ºC/300ºF. Line the base of a 23cm* (9in) round cake pan with non-stick baking paper – I used waxed paper sprayed with cooking spray.
Place the chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat and stir until melted and smooth. Set aside.
Place the eggs and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat for 8-10 minutes, or until pale and thick. Sift the flour and baking powder over the egg mixture and gently fold through with the almond meal and chocolate mixture.
Line the base of a 23cm* (9in) round cake pan with non-stick baking paper. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.
Cool in the pan.
Prepare the icing: mix all the ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over high heat until it boils.
Remove from heat and pour it over the cake while still hot; spread with a palette knife or the back of a spoon if necessary.

Those brownies and then this cake! What ARE you trying to do to us? Saw your pics of holiday, obviously Beatles fans? V.Cool!We're going to see Ratatouille next week as it's half term holiday, can't wait. Great to have you back Patricia!

A moist and sticky chocolate cake is the most popular cake in Sweden - definately a dessert success, and not nessecarily served with cream.

I looked at the pictures. You two make such a beautiful couple. I´m a bit surprised, you found the food in Berlin delicious. Berlin is famous for a lot of things, but fine cuisine isn't one of them.Hugs from Karin

i've looked at your Flickr..apparently you too had so much fun in Europe! you look cute, Patricia, now that I see your face, i don't have to imagine how you look like :D2 posts about chocolate...hmmm...what mood are you in right now? ;P

Thank you for your warm comment Patricia. I'm writing an article on my trip to Brazil at the moment so I must say, what a coincidence! (And I agree with you, we have different desires on food and never know which one comes next)

Margaret, I was - unfortunately now, only grilled fish and salad for me. :(

Hilda, that's a shame! Next time I will definite ask for your help, sweetie! Tks!

Joey, very chocolate-y! And tks for the warm words, sweetie!

Jerry, bake it for him! :)

Abby, you will like the movie, I'm sure!I found the people in Rome very rude, like the people in Paris. :(

Valentina, he had loads of fun and he loves having his photo taken (something I don't like). lolTks for being around, my sweet friend!

Mansi, Cris told me to be a part of the event and I want to! Tks for stopping by, it means a lot!

Mallow, you've said it all, dear.

Terry, be my guest. ;)

Cheryl, you are so right.

Karin, maybe we got lucky? I had wonderful salads, delicious bread... And Joao ate loads of beef and he said it was delicious!I showed him your comment and he blushed a little. :)Thank you, my dear friend, for your kind words.

Susan, I'm sure you are gonna love it - and the people are just amazing!

The cake sounds delicious, but I must confess that I'm obviously retarded. I've gone to your flikr site and looked under the "sweet" photos, but don't know that I'm seeing this particular cake. I see the brownies, and there are several other photos of chocolate cakes. Which one is this one?

Cynthia, he did! lolAnd you should definitely watch the movie, dear. It's so cute!

Lynn, thank you, sweetie!

Toni, he is!! He makes me laugh so hard sometimes I get tears in my eyes. :)You are NOT retarded, sweetie - I am! I had wrongly posted the photos in the end of the album. It's changed now, and tks for letting me know!Beijos, querida!